Igus Linear Axes can Manufacture Spare Parts...in Space
COLOGNE, Germany—A team of students from the Munich University of Applied Sciences (AIMIS-FYT) has developed a 3D printer with drylin linear units from igus GmbH that can cost-effectively produce structural parts in space. Building the printer is part of an aerospace engineering course for the students.
The printed parts are designed primarily to withstand the high wind loads during the launch phase of a spacecraft, but are oversized for later operating times. The students rely on photoreactive resin and UV light, which hardens the resin.